CREATIVE city youngsters are being sought for a colouring competition for children to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight at Worcester’s Co-op stores.
From Monday (February 27) to March 12, Co-op stores are celebrating the annual event with Fairtrade goodies as prizes.
The competition will be judged by Worcestershire author and illustrator Helen Wendy Cooper, artist and digital illustrator Richard Jelfs and COOP store manager Anne Rudge.
Co-op was the first supermarket in the UK to stock Fairtrade products in all stores and they’ve supported farmers around the world for 25 years, helping them get fairer prices for the food they grow.
Author Helen Wendy Cooper, said: “By buying fairtrade products, you can make a massive difference to the lives of farmers and families, in the communities that help grow our food products. This competition will help spread the word of the vital work Fairtrade does and how the COOP supports Fairtrade Fortnight. I can’t wait to see the children’s entries!”
Helen has seven children’s books published, including The Kissing Tree, written for several national magazines, was a judge for bafta-award winning CITV Share a Story and Radio 2’s 500 words.
Helen is a Member Pioneer for the Co-oP and main organiser of the colouring competition.
Richard Jelfs was born and raised in Birmingham but now lives in Kidderminster.
He creates original artwork, illustrating the wonderful towns and cities in Worcestershire and surrounding counties.
“I was delighted to be asked to help judge the Co-Op’s colouring competition! Illustrating and graphic design is my full-time career and I’m looking forward to seeing the children’s use of colour and how they use their imagination on the picture provided.”
Anne Rudge has worked for the Co-op for 34 years, having been a manager for 33 years. She’s based at the larger COOP store on the Ombersley Road but has worked at stores all over the West Midlands and Worcestershire.
“I love my job, mixing with different people and helping individuals in the community. I really hope lots of children take part in the colouring competition!”
Anne is also a mother of two daughters and has four grandchildren, so she definitely will recognise a great colouring competition entry when she sees one.
Participating stores include the two Co-ops’ on Ombersley Road, COOP at Baker Street and the COOP on Lichfield Avenue.
The deadline is March 12 and competition colouring sheets can be picked up and returned to the post-boxes in the stores.
